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可以
kěyǐ
Original teaching content · provenance and version
Example recordings passed technical checks; use the rating controls to flag pronunciation quality.
Mandarin pronunciation · Synthesized MP3 · Previously approved by project reviewer
- pinyin
- kěyǐ
- simplified
- 可以
- traditional
- 可以
- spoken pinyin
- kéyǐ
1 · modal verb
Indicates that an action is permitted.
表示某个动作得到允许。
Use 可以 before an action to ask or grant permission. 十二点可以吗 asks whether a time works; it is not evidence of this permission sense.
May I take a photo here?
English pronunciation · Device-generated pronunciation (depends on browser and system voices)
Your current device will speak after you click; voices can differ by device.
我可以在这里拍照吗？
Share this public expressionMandarin pronunciation · Device-generated pronunciation (depends on browser and system voices)
Your current device will speak after you click; voices can differ by device.
You may use this table.
English pronunciation · Device-generated pronunciation (depends on browser and system voices)
Your current device will speak after you click; voices can differ by device.
你可以用这张桌子。
Share this public expressionMandarin pronunciation · Device-generated pronunciation (depends on browser and system voices)
Your current device will speak after you click; voices can differ by device.
Connect this word to your life
The citation tones are kěyǐ. In connected speech the first of these two third tones normally changes toward a second tone.
Imagine a different situation where you might use this word. It may be fictional, and you may skip this step.
2 · modal verb
To indicate or ask whether an action is permitted.
表示某个动作得到允许，或用来询问是否允许。
Put 可以 before an action. The citation tones are kěyǐ; in connected speech the first third tone normally changes. Citation spelling is not an instruction to synthesize isolated syllables.
May I open the window?
English pronunciation · Synthesized MP3 · Candidate — listening review pending
我可以把窗户打开吗？
Share this public expressionMandarin pronunciation · Synthesized MP3 · Previously approved by project reviewer
The teacher said we may draw here.
English pronunciation · Synthesized MP3 · Candidate — listening review pending
老师说，我们可以在这里画画。
Share this public expressionMandarin pronunciation · Synthesized MP3 · Previously approved by project reviewer
Connect this word to your life
Mandarin reading: kěyǐ.
Try using this word in a sentence about your life; you may skip this.